Long-time City Councilman Tony Dolce passes away suddenly in his sleep last weekend...
The city of Jamestown is mourning the loss of a long-time City Council member and former Council President... and, JHS Teacher.  Anthony "Tony" Dolce passed away in his sleep early last Saturday morning.  Mayor Kim Ecklund released a printed statement late Saturday... announcing that it was an -- "incredibly difficult day for the city of Jamestown."  In the statement... Ecklund said Dolce was -- "a dedicated public servant, respected leader, and someone who devoted more than three decades of his life to the community he loved."  Ecklund informed council members of Dolce's passing Saturday morning.  Dolce was also heavily involved in the push to save Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church after it was to close by the Buffalo Catholic Diocese... and, he was a constant presence in recent years at Diethrick Park after his son, Christian, was named general manager of the Jamestown Tarp Skunks... and, was a steady presence on the City Council since being first elected in 1993.  Dolce was a lifelong resident of Jamestown, graduating from Jamestown High School and also teaching there for over 35 years as a government and economics teacher.  He was a 1979 graduated of JHS.  He is survived by his wife, Anne, and grown children Amelia and Christian.  Funeral arrangments will be announced.

Dolce chaired his last Public Safety Committee meeting just days before his passing...
Just days before his passing... Tony Dolce was on hand to chair the City Council's Public Safety Committee.  Dolce was named to head that panel... even though Democrats hold a 5-4 majority on council.  He reported on a handful of resolutions... and, other actions... including planning for an Aug. 4 gathering of Neighborhood Watch Groups for National Night Out at Bergman Park.  In the past -- he said -- city police and councilmembers would gather at different locations when there were several watch groups and parties.  However... with some new and reconstituted groups... Dolce said they were going to hold one gathering at Bergman Park.  Coincidently... the Public Safety Committee had a number of current... and, other events to vote on through the end of this year.  Dolce said one of those was the Jamestown Christmas Parade and Holiday Celebration... on Saturday, Dec. 5.  In her statement... Mayor Ecklund noted that she had the privilege of serving alongside Dolce on city council for more than 20 years before being elected as Mayor.  During that time... she noted that they had a working relationship that grew into a "lasting friendship."

Orchard Park man arrested in town of Chautauqua following alleged DWI crash...
A one-car crash in the town of Chautauqua last weekend has led to the arrest of a Buffalo-area man for drunk driving.  Sheriff's officers say they were called to a reported accident on the Chautauqua-Stedman Road shortly after 11 p.m. last Saturday night.  Their investigation found that 27-year-old David Kilian of Orchard Park was operating the vehicle while intoxicated.  Kilian was arrested for DWI... and, later released with an appearance ticket for Chautauqua Town Court at a later date.

Laurel Run's annual "Flag Relay" held despite poor air quality from wildfires...
The 30th annual Laurel Memorial Run and Walk flag relay went on as scheduled last Friday despite the poor air quality in the area.  It began with a ceremony at the Resource Center's Jamestown location and ended at about midday with a victory celebration at its Dunkirk site.  TRC's Steve Waterson says representatives from area high schools did not participate because of the smoky air, but there were still a handful of people who walked or rode during the 31-mile trek... including Ray Graff of Silver Creek -- who rode his bicycle most of the way.  Others did the Laurel-thon from Jamestown to Dunkirk.  One of the three runners who ran the entire 31-mile "Laurel-thon" was Joel Newburg... who says it got a little "hazy" in spots... but, overall conditions were "very nice."  Mike Pietrkiewicz, a marathon runner, said it's the first time he has gone more than 26 miles.  Newburg and Pietrkiewicz were joined by Keith Mackowiak, who says the three helped raise over $8,000 for this year's event.  Proceeds from the event benefit people with developmental disabilities in Chautauqua County.

Woman arrested in city for allegedly damaging a business in mid-June...
A woman from Jamestown now faces charges after allegedly damaging property at a downtown business last month.  City police say they were first called to the scene about 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 17.  Officers say they received a "panic alarm" from the business... and, found 22 year-old Athena Partyka inside displaying erratic behavior.  Their investigation determined that Partyka had caused about one-thousand dollars in damages to the property.  When told she was under arrest... she briefly resisted before being taken into custody.  She was charged with third-degree criminal mischief... third-degree criminal tampering... and, resisting arrest.

Jamestown man accused of stealing wiring from building in Kiantone...         
A city man is accused of breaking into a building in the town of Kiantone last month and stealing wiring.  Sheriff's deputies say they arrested 44 year-old Brandon Knisley of Jamestown last Saturday on arrest warrants for allegedly entering the building on Martin Road back on June 28.  Officers say he then cut and stole the wiring.  Deputies investigated... and, Knisley was charged with third-degree burglary... fourth-degree criminal mischief... and, petty larceny.  He was taken to the county jail pending arraignment.